How To Playwright

In community with Fall of Freedom - a nationwide cultural mobilization and movement uniting artists, cultural institutions, and communities across the United States in creative resistance against censorship and authoritarian overreach - this episode discusses the worth if the artist, Albert Camus, and how we can support each other in harrowing times.

Join an event Oct 2-4, 2027

https://www.falloffreedom.com/

Lauren chats about The annual Most Produced Plays / Playwrights List: the data it tallies, what it tells us and how to get on it.

Lauren talks about writing and understanding dialogue. Let's unpack the difference between informational, emotional, musical, silent dialogue... and the power of profanity ;)

We discuss understanding, creating and perfecting the midpoints of our plays. Big stakes, big shifts, no turning back.

Intro music by Joriah Kwame!

We talk about getting through the beginnings of your new play, how to start writing, getting through the first 30 pages, writers block, inspiration, and keeping things moving and interesting and vivacious.

Welcome back for Season 2 of HOW TO PLAYWRIGHT. We start with a Q+A before the launch of full episodes coming soon.

Hosted by Lauren Gunderson

Theme song by the brilliant Joriah Kwamé.

A special guest - my dad, Rev. Dr. Gary Gunderson - joins the podcast to discuss the powerful truths of theatre, theology, activism, art, public health, hope and healing. The shared root of the words "theatre" and "theology" is the Greek word "theasthai" which mean "to behold," and we discuss how both of us have explored the ways our vocations behold the ultimate to inspire, empower, and unify. My dad discusses my work in the theatre and his work as a man of faith/politics/health - including his now iconic book and philosophy "Leading Causes of Life" and the work of academic Bastienne Kline. We talk Greek theatre, new plays, old religions, fresh activism, congregations of all kinds, and how we can and must stand up for the good in the world.

Lauren talks about writing two handers and how this efficient form of dramatic writing tests your craft and technique as a playwright, while also preparing you to hone the basic skills for all other dramatic writing.

This episode is my lecture "Theatre as Thought Experiment" as given at Southern Utah University in 2024 and discusses the intersection of science and theatre, dramatic structure and scientific method, and the "laboratory of life" that great theatre offers us all.

We discuss the steps from First Draft to Opening Night and beyond in this episode all about a new play's journey through premiere to publishing and on and on. This one goes in the weeds a bit about what to expect in a rehearsal process, rewriting in production and what to do once you've had your premiere.

Let's talk about writing and developing and deepening characters in your plays. We explore main characters as well as side/supporting characters, and how the web of characters are kept taut through battle, contrast and compliment.

Lauren discusses starting plays at their endings - climactic endings, denoument, flavors of endings and more.

Lauren explores the "Muse of Fire" prologue from Shakespeare's HENRY V as a swift but inspiring lesson in theatre-making. Pro tips and beautiful poetry from William Shakespeare.

Lauren answers listener questions and covers rewriting, editing, career beginnings, how to define success and more.

Hosted by Lauren M Gunderson

Music by Joriah Kwamé

We discuss scene writing through dramatic structure but at the scenic level. Macro-structure, micro-structure, Mandelbrot, and musicals help us unpack how to write successful scenes for your new play.

A discussion of how to create compelling, energetic main characters that can fuel a great play with fervent and urgent wants, needs, complexities, and antagonistic forces.

Hosted by Lauren M. Gunderson

Original intro music by Joriah Kwamé

I take you with me before and after my favorite moment in any new play's life: the very first table reading of a never-before-heard new play. What do I listen for, what can writers learn from hearing it out loud for the first time, what good work comes out of this bountiful moment in development.

Let's discuss!

Thanks for listening!

Hosted by Lauren Gunderson

Original intro music by Joriah Kwamé

We dive right into a simplified discussion of ye olde dramatic structure, covering the general concepts of beginning/midpoint/ending in playwriting. We talk dramatic structure as begin akin to the scientific method, and how plays are "thought experiments."

As usual I rant on "Hamlet," love stories, and architecture metaphors.

Enjoy! and thanks for listening.

Intro music by Joriah Kwamé.

Welcome! This is the first outing for "How To Playwright," in which I tell you a little of the why and the what of this podcast, as well as the "who is this for." To playwrite or playwright?

Host: Lauren M. Gunderson

Original theme music by the amazing Joriah Kwamé

Watch the original pandemic playwrighting sessions and interviews here: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenGundersonPlaywright/videos